Belt, Greinke, Pham, and Solano: MLB Veterans Facing Tough Free Agency
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Brandon Belt
In the competitive arena of MLB free agency, Brandon Belt watched from the sidelines as his contemporaries, whom he had outperformed in 2023, secured profitable contracts. Despite surpassing the performance of several first base/DH free agents, Belt encountered a surprisingly lukewarm market reception.
Make sure you read up on SportsGrid's Top MLB Player Props for Apr. 11
Justin Turner landed a $13 million deal for one year with the Blue Jays, Belt's former team, while Joc Pederson signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, last season's NL champions, for $12.5 million. Carlos Santana and Rowdy Tellez found new homes with the Brewers and Pirates for $5.25 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Daniel Vogelbach clinched a $2 million contract with the Blue Jays after impressing during spring training. Initially, Belt might have overlooked such offers, but as opportunities dwindled, the reality of his situation became apparent.
Unexpectedly, Belt garnered minimal interest, with the Mets being the only team to offer a contract, primarily incentive-based, according to Andrew Baggerly of The Athletic. Despite not being at the zenith of his career, Belt's significant impact against right-handed pitching last season reaffirms his value in a major league lineup.
Read and indepth analysis of these Four FAs on Just Baseball.
Tommy Pham
After the trade deadline in 2023, Tommy Pham's performance with the Diamondbacks didn't match his impressive stint with the Mets earlier in the year. Despite this dip, Pham's skills at the plate remained evident. With a wRC+ of 110, his productivity was at its highest since 2019, and his .361 xwOBA placed him in the 84th percentile, marking his best performance since 2018.
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Pham expressed confidence in his market value during the offseason. Speaking to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post in November, he anticipated interest from five or six teams. Yet, Pham was adamant about not settling for a part-time role; he sought a team that would offer him regular playing time. This insistence may have led to missed opportunities, as suitable offers didn't materialize in the timeframe he hoped.
As the season progresses, one might speculate that Pham could adjust his expectations regarding playing time. His participation in every game of the previous year's World Series underscores his capability and readiness to contribute at the major league level. The question remains: will he find a team willing to meet his needs, or will he adapt his criteria to rejoin the field?
Zack Greinke
At 40 years of age, Zack Greinke finds himself in a challenging juncture of his career. Following a season where his ERA ballooned to 5.06, his highest since the 2005 season, it's understandable why teams might hesitate to sign him.
However, Greinke's last season, despite its challenges, showcased his reliability as a pitcher. He took the mound for 27 starts, a feat not many can boast, with only 70 pitchers logging more innings than him - that averages to about 2.3 pitchers per team. This level of consistency and durability is rare in today's game, making Greinke's "rubber arm" an asset that teams ought to value more.
Moreover, the risk in signing Greinke seems minimal. It's unlikely he's expecting a contract worth tens of millions, considering his desire to continue playing. At worst, a team might be out a relatively small sum. At best, they gain a seasoned pitcher capable of delivering five solid innings every few games, possibly a future Hall of Famer at that.
The essence of baseball is enriched by players like Zack Greinke. It begs the question: why hasn't a team offered him the opportunity to play again
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Donovan Solano
While Donovan Solano may not possess the middle-of-the-order power seen in players like Belt or Pham, his contributions over the last five seasons cannot be overlooked. Since 2019, Solano has maintained an impressive .296 batting average and a 112 wRC+ across 450 games, demonstrating his consistent performance at the plate.
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Solano's ability to competently cover all four infield positions adds another layer to his value. Although his defensive skills may not be extraordinary at any specific position, his versatility is a significant asset.
However, the journey through free agency often proves challenging for seasoned bench players like Solano. Despite the clear benefits he could bring to a team's bench, many clubs opt to allocate those roster spots to younger players with perceived higher growth potential. Solano offers a reliable option with a solid track record, yet the trend leans towards gambling on the promising yet unproven talents of younger athletes, putting veterans like him at a disadvantage in the market.
Brandon Belt
In the competitive arena of MLB free agency, Brandon Belt watched from the sidelines as his contemporaries, whom he had outperformed in 2023, secured profitable contracts. Despite surpassing the performance of several first base/DH free agents, Belt encountered a surprisingly lukewarm market reception.
Make sure you read up on SportsGrid's Top MLB Player Props for Apr. 11
Justin Turner landed a $13 million deal for one year with the Blue Jays, Belt's former team, while Joc Pederson signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, last season's NL champions, for $12.5 million. Carlos Santana and Rowdy Tellez found new homes with the Brewers and Pirates for $5.25 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Daniel Vogelbach clinched a $2 million contract with the Blue Jays after impressing during spring training. Initially, Belt might have overlooked such offers, but as opportunities dwindled, the reality of his situation became apparent.
Unexpectedly, Belt garnered minimal interest, with the Mets being the only team to offer a contract, primarily incentive-based, according to Andrew Baggerly of The Athletic. Despite not being at the zenith of his career, Belt's significant impact against right-handed pitching last season reaffirms his value in a major league lineup.
Read and indepth analysis of these Four FAs on Just Baseball.
Tommy Pham
After the trade deadline in 2023, Tommy Pham's performance with the Diamondbacks didn't match his impressive stint with the Mets earlier in the year. Despite this dip, Pham's skills at the plate remained evident. With a wRC+ of 110, his productivity was at its highest since 2019, and his .361 xwOBA placed him in the 84th percentile, marking his best performance since 2018.
Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks
Pham expressed confidence in his market value during the offseason. Speaking to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post in November, he anticipated interest from five or six teams. Yet, Pham was adamant about not settling for a part-time role; he sought a team that would offer him regular playing time. This insistence may have led to missed opportunities, as suitable offers didn't materialize in the timeframe he hoped.
As the season progresses, one might speculate that Pham could adjust his expectations regarding playing time. His participation in every game of the previous year's World Series underscores his capability and readiness to contribute at the major league level. The question remains: will he find a team willing to meet his needs, or will he adapt his criteria to rejoin the field?
